Sport

Peter Wilson guides Shireshead to cup win over Milnthorpe

SHIRESHEAD clinched the first part of a potential league and cup double as they retained the Hackney & Leigh Trophy with a 39 run victory over Milnthorpe at Bare Cricket Club.

On a blustery afternoon Shireshead elected to bat first and they were soon into their stride thanks to a flurry of boundaries from Steve Yates.

Liam Parkinson (26) continued the good work but the innings was built around a superb performance from Peter Wilson.

Wilson (77) began with a quartet of boundaries in one over and his momentum never slowed as he played strokes all around the wicket. Simon Gould (39) and Danny Wilkinson (20) gave good support before Dave Jack ended the innings much as it had started with some more lusty blows.

An imposing total of 222- 5 was posted with James Parkinson the pick of the Milnthorpe bowlers.

Milnthorpe needed to start their reply well and thanks to Chris Baldwin they did. A rush of early boundaries from Baldwin (47) with some fluent strokeplay gave Milnthorpe the platform they required, although James Rafferty removed the dangerous Mike Wills.

Uzair Shah (2-22) continued his excellent form this season as he dismissed Baldwin and Lee Illingworth, but Phil Bovis’ presence at the crease ensured Shireshead could not rest on their laurels just yet.

Wickets continued to fall regularly however and Bovis (68 not out) couldn’t find enough continued support to prevent the Clifton Park Club triumphing by 39 runs.